Some of New York City's top chefs and theatre people are on the menu of The Play Company's sixth annual benefit gala Cabaret Gourmet 2009 April 27.

The evening of food and entertainment hosted by Broadway's Richard Kind, with music by Karen Akers, has sold well, but there may be some $75 tickets at the door, a spokesman for the Off-Broadway company said.

At 7 PM cabaret star and Broadway actress Akers (Nine, Grand Hotel) will perform, and savory and sweet dishes will be prepared by chefs from the city's most celebrated restaurants. The event is at the American Airlines Theatre Penthouse, 227 W. 42nd Street.

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According to The Play Company, "Cabaret Gourmet 2009 offers theatregoers and gourmet-food aficionados alike the opportunity to mingle in an intimate setting and taste epicurean dishes prepared by well-known chefs from around the city. Participating chefs include Chef David DeCarlo from Angus McIndoe, Chef Jehangir Mehta from Graffiti, Chef Nancy Olson from Gramercy Tavern, Chef Mickey Price from Market Table, Chef Josh Eden from Shorty's .32."

Akers received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Nine. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, New York's Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel and The White House. She starred in two PBS television specials, "Presenting Karen Akers" and "Karen Akers: On Stage at Wolf Trap." In Mike Nichols' "Heartburn" she was the femme fatale. Host Richard Kind has appeared on Broadway in The Producers, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Sly Fox. He's best known for his roles on TV's "Spin City," "Mad About You" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Tickets to Cabaret Gourmet 2009 are $75-$200; tables for ten are $3,000-5,000.

For reservations and more information, contact Matt Morrow at (212) 398-2977 or email mmorrow@playco.org. For updates on celebrity guests, featured chefs, auction items and more, visit www.playco.org.

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The Play Company's current project is the Off-Broadway premiere of Lloyd Suh's new play American Hwangap, a collaboration with Ma-Yi Theater. Off-Broadway previews begin May 9 at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan. Performances run through June 7. Trip Cullman directs an ensemble cast featuring James Saito, Michi Barall, Mia Katigbak, Peter Kim and Hoon Lee.

The Play Company produces new international and American plays. The troupe received a 2007 Obie Award for its "unique contribution to the theatre community."

The Play Company is under the guidance of Kate Loewald, founding producer, and Lauren Weigel, managing producer.